Hope

Epilogue - 5 years later

Annabeth

"Please someone tell me that the word finally is on your cake." Ellie laughed as we dressed for my wedding. My wedding. It still seemed more than bizarre to say. Yeah Richard and I had been together for five years, yes we had two kids already who are three and one, Rebecca and Charles (Charlie). Yes we had been engaged for two years but, it still felt bizarre.

I stopped stripping and being an escort after the accident. I just didn't have the same abilities as I did before. I now however taught pole dancing. When it came to the moves I no longer could do, I had a tape of when I could which I talk them through. I liked this job, it was still with Jeff as my boss. He decided to build this business when I said I couldn't dance anymore. As I said, he cared for his girls.

Ellie had now been back from her travels fully for two years now. Sure she had visited us and we'd visited her but, it was nice for her to be back for good. "Oh shush you. I'll be saying that when you and Tommy bang it out later." I was only joking. The two of them had moved on now, Tommy had been seeing a girl named Penny for the six months or so and Ellie had been seeing Gabriel for three. The Greek god as she once called him, moved down here for her. Honestly, I wasn't keen. I didn't trust him. I don't know why, I just didn't.

"It's been four years since anything happened sis, get over it."

When Ellie visited for Christmas they had a "blip" and Ellie called it and they slept together again. Yet, she still hadn't slept with Gabriel. Apparently she wanted to wait until marriage again. I didn't buy it.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ready though? He is Richard's best man, that means photos, a dance."

"A dance."

"Yeah, I made a rule for my bridesmaids to dance with their ushers at least once. Oh and of course walking down the isle." Ellie was obviously my maid of honour. Even in her travels we stayed close. I had a long time having physio therapy and she'd be calling every other day to check on me.

"You ready, kiddo?" My dad had eventually mended fences with the two of us. It took a good year at least with me and four with Ellie. We were there though. He and mum were able to be around each other and he'd even met someone, Sabrina. I didn't trust her either. That's the problem when you come from money.

"Yeah." I took a deep breath, lowering myself so I could look at my beautiful daughter, our flower girl. She grinned at me. She had been looking forward to this for ages. "You ready to start us off, gorgeous?"

"Yes, mummy." I gave her a big kiss and watched proudly as she left the room. One by one my bridesmaids followed, meeting their usher at the bottom of the isle. Finally, it was my turn. My dad hooked my arm in his and let the music change to you're still the one by Shania Twain to take the first step with me.

I noticed Rebecca standing proudly with her Aunty Ellie whilst my brother, Jackson held Charlie. It amazed me how they were just mini versions of us. Finally my eyes moved to Richard. I couldn't look away from him after that. The look he was giving me was the one I wanted to see everyday like I had done for the past five years. He was the only man I had ever loved.

No matter how fucked up, how we met and got together was, it lead us to this. We had already been there in sickness and in health and so many other things. We had basically been married just without the vows and rings since he moved in when I got out of hospital.

"You look incredible." Richard smiled brightly, taking my hands. He kissed each one. I heard aw's around us but I still felt like we were in our little world. I bit my lip with a huge smile at his words. It was actually happening. I was actually going to be Mrs Annabeth Wright. I refrained from chuckling. He was my Mr Wright whilst I was his Mrs.

"I do." We both said without any hesitation when the time came and our kiss was happening before the vicar finished his sentence. The crowd laughed and cheered as I had my arms wrapped around Richard's neck and he wrapped his around my waist. "I love you so much, Mrs Wright."

"Ditto, Mr Wright."

Our wedding was incredible. It was one of the final songs of the night and Richard and I were slowly swaying. We had our foreheads resting together, with my and around his neck and the other in his. "Imagine we'd ever get to this point when we met?" I laughed and pulled away to look at my amazing husband and baby daddy. "What? When you were engaged to my sister and I came for the wedding?"

"Fair point. What about when we actually did get together?" I gave Richard a pointed look and a smirk. "After Uma went to prison then?" I laughed and kissed him lightly. "Marriage is great but no matter what, I knew I wanted to be with you." I told him honestly and went to kiss him passionately when I heard Rebecca running to us.

"Mummy, daddy."

"Hey, gorgeous. I thought Aunty Ellie and Uncle Tommy were going to take you and Charlie to bed." Rebecca gave us both a sheepish look. Glancing up I noticed Tommy running in our direction. "For a three year old she is quick."

"Becky, we love you very much and will see you in the morning but it's bed time." Richard smiled warmly, lifting her up. "I want a kiss and cuddle first."

"Oh? Well, I think we can manage that. What about you mummy?"

"I think we can do that." I grinned and gave Rebecca's cheek a big kiss. As I did she gave us her adorable little giggle and jumped from Richard's arms to mine. "Goodnight baby girl. Love you."

"Night daddy, love you."

"Night gorgeous, love you."

"Night mummy, love you."

After a quick cuddle Rebecca jumped over to Tommy. We raised our eyebrows at him. "I told you, she's quick for a three year old."

"Yeah. Yeah. Be good for your aunt and uncle please, Becky."

"Okay mummy."

I felt Richard's arms wrap around me as we watched our little girl head off. He kissed my head. "We have the best family. Although, I wished Charlie would go to sleep as easy for me as you and Ellie."

It was true. Charlie always got too excited when Richard tried to put him to bed. It would take three stories or more, soft music and a night light. With myself or Ellie, he was out like a light. I chuckled. "You love it."

"I do. I love all of it, and all of you."

"Ditto, Mr Wright."